The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is mobilizing approximately $2.61 billion to activate a 5,000-strong Standby Force aimed at combating terrorism and stabilizing the region.
This initiative follows a recent joint meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Finance and Defence held in Abuja to finalize funding modalities for the force.
Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized that terrorism remains a significant threat to regional integration, disrupting trade, investment, and the free movement of people and goods across West Africa. He noted that Africa has surpassed the Middle East as the global epicenter of terrorism, with the Sahel region particularly affected due to political instability and weak governance.
The proposed Standby Force is part of ECOWAS’s multi-faceted counter-terrorism strategy, which includes intelligence sharing, training, and humanitarian efforts. The force aims to restore peace and stability across the sub-region, addressing both terrorism and unconstitutional changes in government.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, highlighted the growing threats of terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational crime. He described the Abuja meeting as a pivotal moment to operationalize the force, stressing the importance of aligning strategic objectives with sustainable and transparent funding mechanisms.
Proposed funding options include adjustments to the Community Levy, recovering arrears, GDP-based contributions, and exploring blended financing and partnerships. The ECOWAS Commission aims to activate the Standby Force in the short term, with a 1,650-man brigade costing an estimated $481.5 million.
The activation of this force is seen as a critical step toward addressing escalating security challenges in West Africa and reaffirming ECOWAS’s commitment to regional peace and stability.
